Hepatitis C-Virus Infection and Risk of Coronary Heart Diseases

Abstract

Background: The world Health Organization has declared hepatitis C a global health problem, with approximately 3 % of the worldﹶs population. HCV infection was associated with a high risk of CHD. Hs-CRP and fibrinogen was considered as markers of coronary artery disease, their elevation correlated with incidence of CAD, However Apo A deficiency predict future risk of CAD. Aim: To study correlation between HCV infections and marker risk factors of coronary heart disease in different stages of liver disease. Patients & Method: Forty three chronic HCV patients were recruited at specialized hepatology clinic in National Hepatology and Tropical Medicine Research Institute (NHTMRI),Cairo; they were classified into 3 groups according to Child – Pugh score (A, B, C), 42 % were Child class A, 28 % Child B and 30 % Child C, age from 20 to 80 years. 15 healthy subjects served as control group. Detection of the following tests occurred for both groups: Liver function tests: ALT, AST, ALP, total protein, albumin, bilirubin, GGT and AFP. Ultra sensitive CRP, fibrinogen, apoprotein A and Lipid profile: Total Cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-C, LDL-C, and Total Lipid. Results: the data obtained from results show that :liver enzymes AST, ALT, total bilirubin, albumin, total protein and INR levels were significantly different between groups and control (p 0.05). Cardiac enzymes; CK and LDH levels were not significantly different between groups and control (p> 0.05). The APO A levels were not differs significantly in study groups and controls (p> 0.05). The fibrinogen andhs-CRP levels in the patients appeared to be significantly higher than those in the healthy controls (p< 0.05). Conclusion: hs-CRP and fibrinogen may be considered as a CHC progression prognostic factor, Evidence indicates that hepatitis C virus (HCV) have a key role in coronary heart disease.